Tag: Faith

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Tattooed Faith

Daily Reading

1Peter 1-5

Daily Thought

Peter puts a spotlight on those who follow Jesus, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1Peter 1:14-16). Holy means to be set apart, to be something other, for all to see, to live on earth and display heaven. 

“Dad, I’m getting a tattoo.”

Adam is a college sophomore; ‘No you are not,’ is no longer an option.

“A cross with 1Peter 1:16 written under it,” Adam described the design, “You shall be holy, for I am holy”

“How big?” asked Dad. Adam stretched his fingers out. “Big. Right here on my arm.”

“Okay, Adam, but you are in college with a lot of people who don’t know Jesus. That tattoo will let everyone know what you believe.”

“Dad, I’m getting the tattoo.”

“That’s great, Son. Just remember, everyone who sees it on your arm will be watching your life to see what it means.”

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ~1Peter 2:9

Daily Prayer

Father God, You Son came into this world to be a light in a dark place. Thank You for shining that light on me because I was a dark place! I love Your Son.

Now I am a light shining in a dark place. I will not hide the light, but I will hold it up so that people can see. So that they can see Your Son. So that they can receive Your Son and be light, too. So that the world may know that You are God. My God. The only God.

Amen

Daily Question

What would people think it means to be a Christian if they hung around you for a day?

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The Only Easy Way

Daily Reading

James 1-5

Daily Thought

James speaks bluntly, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). You may have faith in Jesus, but if you do not put it into practice, if you do not work at it, you will have nothing to show for it. “The one who looks into the perfect law,” James continues, “the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25). God’s Word is beautiful to hear, but it is meant for action.

I loved hearing Jack play. Jack’s fingers flew on the frets, the guitar sang, and it was beautiful. “Do you want to play like this?” Jack was my guitar teacher and I was 10 years old.

I nodded, “Yes.”

“You’ll need to practice an hour a day, every day.”

“An hour!” An eternity for a 10-year old. “Isn’t there an easier way?”

Jack glared at me, “How would you like to practice?”

I shrugged, “When I feel like it.”

“That’s the hard way, Dave. The easy way is the hard way to do anything well. If you pick up the guitar whenever you feel like it, it will take you years to play. If ever.”

“The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~James 1:3-4

“But an hour a day and soon enough, you’ll be playing like this,” explained Jack. “Practicing hard is the easy way, It’s the only easy way to do anything well.”

Daily Prayer

My God, I trust You with my life. May everything I do display the faith I have in Your wisdom and goodness. Teach me Your ways, O Lord. Test me and try me, so that I may live a life holy set apart to You.

God, thank You for caring for me to develop and strengthen me. I know that nothing will come before me that, in You, I cannot endure and conquer. I can do all things through You because You give me strength. There is a joy I have found in suffering for Your Name’s sake.

Amen

Daily Question

What is more important, that you believe in Jesus or what you do because you believe? 

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A Red Umbrella

Daily Reading

Acts 11-13

Daily Thought

Herod the king discovered popularity with certain Jews by killing Christians, and so “he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:2). Peter was next, but it was not to be. God intervened; “an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his hands” (Acts 12:7). Peter was led past sleeping guards and open gates and deposited outside the jail and inside the city.

It is fair to ask why Peter was rescued and not James–why one and not the other, why not both or neither. I do not know the answer to this, but I do know that neither was more important to God, nor more loved by God, because death is no worse a fate than life to the faithful, and both rest in the hands of God.

Perhaps due to the death of James, when Peter was taken, “earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (Acts 12:5). Also, due to the death of James, their faith was lacking. When a servant girl interrupted the disciples and informed them Peter was outside waiting at the door, safe and unharmed, their response was a faithless, “You are out of your mind” (Acts 12:15).

Once upon a time there was a farming town in the midst of a long drought and the people gathered at church to pray. Twelve year old Susie came, as well, and came prepared. By her side on the pew laid her red umbrella. She alone thought to bring one.

“Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door, they saw him and were amazed” (Acts 12:16). The disciples did one thing wrong, they did not have faith. Nevertheless, they did one thing right, they prayed anyway. Their prayer lacked faith, but they were faithful to pray. Pray and have faith, but if you find faith difficult, pray anyway.

And bring an umbrella.

Daily Prayer

Father God, I know that You are faithful and true. I know that You can do all things. I know that what You promise will happen.

God, I have faith. Help me with my faith. May I trust You and live my life reflecting my faith and confidence in You. When I pray, may I not be surprised, but still amazed, when You answer.

Amen

Daily Question

Are you confident God will hear and answer your prayers? How confident? Why?

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The Silence of God

Daily Reading

Job 32-34

Daily Thought

Elihu, a young man, waited until his elders and Job were done talking, then he had something to say, “It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion’” (Job 42:9-10). He comes off as a typical young know-it-all: he doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, yet he thinks he’s got it figured out. It would be easy to write him off. 

That would be a mistake. What if he is right?

Job’s three older friends had God figured out. Job was suffering, therefore, Job had sinned. God will answer when Job repents. It’s a formula God always answers. It may be “yes” or “no” or “not yet” (another formula with three options). Isn’t that how God works? 

But what if God doesn’t answer?

This was Job’s dilemma and Job’s demand, “Oh, that I had one to hear me! Let the Almighty answer me! (Job 31:35). Ultimately, this was Job’s sin, not something he had done (as Job’s three friends claimed), but something he was doing, something he was demanding of God. Elihu called him out on it, “Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14). To know God is to trust him, so stop questioning God. Worship him, for “God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice” (Job 34:12).

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me. ~Job 38:1-3

It is not that God does not answer, but that he does not answer to you (or me). In God’s silence, he seeks our trust. We answer to him.

Daily Prayer

Sovereign God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Your ways are good, right, and just. They are also loving. You are, at the same time, my Loving Father and my Righteous Judge. Why would I want to live in a world not ruled by righteousness? And yet, I do. 

Your Word seems foreign to this world, because this world would rather rule itself, and the results are not good. I can serve the kingdom of man or the Kingdom of God, but not both. The choice is clear, and I choose to be ruled by righteousness. I will follow You.

Amen

Daily Question

Does your faith grow or weaken when God is silent?

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I Can’t Solve Me

Daily Reading

Job 8-10

Daily Thought

Bildad’s callous solution to Job’s suffering is simply, “If you are pure and upright, surely then he (God) will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation” (Job 8:6); to which Job rightly replied, “Truly I know that it is so, but how can a man be in the right before God?” (Job 9:2). Job is saying, “You are right, Bildad, and that’s why you’re wrong.” Bildad believes you can be good enough before God, and Job despairs that good enough is impossible.

Job is a story of the contrast between two views of suffering, but, more importantly, two views of God. For Bildad, it is “do right before God”; for Job, it is “be right with God.” Bildad puts his faith in the character of man because Bildad is looking for a solution. Job simply needs to get his act together. Job trusts in the character of God because Job knows there is nothing he can do and he seeks a Savior. 

At first, Job fears there may not be one–“There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both” (Job 9:33), he cries, looking for someone to bring him together with God. As the story continues, Job’s hope will increase, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth (Job 19:25). Job is correct and his name is Jesus.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” ~John 1:14

“I can do this” means I am the solution. “I can’t do this” admits I need a Savior. The Gospel begins its work when I realize I can’t solve me.

Daily Prayer

My Father in heaven, You are holy. I am amazed that You even think of me, because I am not holy. Far from it. Yet You love me and seek me out. You save me, not because I have something You want or need, but You save me out of Your own pleasure. This is astonishing love.

Thank you for Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through His obedience, His life, His death, His resurrection, I am made righteous and given the certainty of eternal life with You. You have given me all I ever need, and therefore I can love others the way You love, not to receive something, but for the sheer pleasure of loving and giving and serving.

Amen

Daily Question

What do you do when you have a problem that can only be solved by God?

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Do It Anyway

Daily Reading

Esther 1-5

Daily Thought

Haman was the king’s right hand, and he reveled in his position. All bowed before him, except one. Mordecai the Jew refused to bow and remained standing. This infuriated Haman and he plotted Mordecai’s death, but not just his–he sought to destroy all of Israel, for they were an obstinate people. They bowed before no one except God alone. 

Meanwhile, Ahasuerus, king of Persia, needed a new queen (he had discarded the old one), and the virgins were paraded before him. Among them was Esther, a Jew but no one knew that. She was also Mordecai’s cousin and adopted daughter, but no one knew that either. Ahasuerus “loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen” (Esther 2:17). The book of Esther is more political than religious; the name of God is not found on its pages, but God is at work. He has his servant Esther in place. 

It was a time of national peril for Israel and Mordecai appealed to Esther to approach the king. Esther’s response is to call her countrymen to fast on her behalf. Courage cannot be ignorant and Esther knew the danger of Mordecai’s request, “if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law–to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter (Esther 4:11). 

“Do it anyway,” was Mordecai’s response. 

“Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” ~Esther 4:14

Mordecai knew the danger, for he also had stood courageously. Mordecai is not careless of her life. He loves her and has cared for her since childhood, but cares more deeply for her soul. To keep silent when courage is called for may (or may not) save your life, but you will die inside.

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” ~Luke 9:24

Esther understood, “I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). This is no statement of despair, but of devotion to her nation and her God. 

The story continues, but that is for tomorrow.

Daily Prayer

God, wonderful Savior, I will be prepared always to stand for You, as You stood for me in my place at the cross. I will be prepared, putting on Your armor daily, the faith in Your care, the hope of eternity, the love which You showed me. I will be prepared, pouring into Your Word, always ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope I have in You.

You set the time, I’ll be ready.

Amen

Daily Question

What do you typically want to know before you say yes to God?

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Trusting God

Daily Reading

1Chronicles 3-5

Daily Thought

First Chronicles begins with 9 chapters of names, a genealogy of families fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham, “I will multiply your offspring as the sand that is on the seashore” (Genesis 22:17). These long lists are names, the sons of Judah (1Chronicles 4:1) and Simeon (1Chronicles 4:24) and Reuben (1Chronicles 5:1), etc., are the grains of sand advertising that God has done exactly what he said he would do. It is a trail of trust; our faith is not blind. The God who has always been faithful is forever faithful, and, based on that, will continue to be. We can trust him with our lives.

In the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Indy is chasing the Holy Grail, the cup of legend, supposedly shared by Jesus with his disciples at the Last Supper. The bad guy wants the cup, too, so he shoots Indy’s dad, not dead, but dying.  “It’s time to ask yourself what you believe,” said the bad guy. Go get the Grail, Indy, it’s the only thing that can save your dad. Indy took a book, given to him by his father, that should lead him to the Holy Grail. Could he trust the book?

The book said, “Kneel.” Indiana Jones knelt, and blades of steel passed harmlessly over his head. The book said, “Proceed on the name of God,” and Indy stepped on rocks labeled I-E-H-O-V-A-H (with an “I” because it’s Latin) to safety. Then the book said, “Leap,” but there was nowhere to leap–just a deep chasm before him. He stepped forward anyway onto a bridge unseen. It was a leap of faith, but it wasn’t blind, because the book had proven true. Indiana Jones trusted the book.

Followers of Jesus are those who trust the book. God’s Word proves true and we put our lives in the hands of its author. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). We, like the Hebrews, discover and develop trust in God as we immerse ourselves in Scripture, even long lists.

Daily Prayer

God, You are faithful and true. I can trust fully in You. Build my faith, God, and strengthen my trust. You are certainly worthy of it. I know that if I seek You and only You, I do not need to worry or be anxious. All things are in Your hand. It baffles me how many things distract me when I only need to keep my eyes on One. You.

May I be faithful to Your Word, reading it, no, devouring it with delight. The more I am in it, the more I am overwhelmed by Your grace and truth. You search deep inside me with Your Words, and You clean house, and You lead me to a life full of Your majesty and wonder.

Amen

Daily Question

Why do you trust the Word of God to be true?

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Move Mountains

Daily Reading

2Kings 12-14

Daily Thought

Elisha was old and sick and would soon die, and Joash king of Israel rushed to his side. King’s don’t run to anyone, but this was the prophet of God. Joash wanted to know if there were any any last words to lead him forward, and there were. Elisha instructed Joash to take a bow and arrow, then Elisha laid his hands on the hands of Joash and together they drew the bow eastward toward Syria. “Shoot,” and he shot. And Elisha said, “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them” (2Kings 13:17). The prophet would die, but God would continue to go before Israel. 

“Take the arrows,” said Elisha, and Joash took them. “Strike the ground with them.” It was an invitation to raise the bar, to reach the heavens, to embrace the power of God Almighty, but instead Joash tapped “three times and stopped” (2Kings 13:18), too soon, too timid. Elisha was angry at his small action, “You should have struck more!”

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” ~Mark 11:23

The Christian life isn’t “Let go and let God” as much as it’s “Grab on and go with God.” God is looking to see how far we will go, how much fight we have. Joash could have and should have pummeled the ground and moved mountains. 

Daily Prayer

My God, You have created such an incredible world. It displays Your handiwork, Your wisdom, Your majesty. You placed me in this world to rule it, subdue it, master it, and care for it. May I do it with gusto!

I am more than a conqueror when I trust fully in my Creator, the God of the heavens and the earth. Jesus, may my love for You never falter. I know Your love for me never has. 

Amen

Daily Question

What are some of the big things God has done through you?

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A Beginning

Daily Reading

2Kings 6-8

Daily Thought

Blaise Pascal, 17th-Century French philosopher, proposed that at the very least belief in God is a good bet. God cannot be proved or disproved rationally, he argued, but if God is real, there is great gain in believing in him and great loss in not. If God is not real, then neither matters. It is more reasonable, therefore, to believe, since it is the only course that provides an advantage. This is not a strong faith, but it is a beginning.

Listen in as four lepers employ similar reasoning to their situation. Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, has led his entire army and laid siege to Samaria and a great famine ensued. Four lepers, starving outside the gates of the city of Samaria, reasoned, “If we say, ‘Let us enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die” (2Kings 7:4). Like Pascal’s good bet, there was only one choice with an advantage, so they took a chance and went to the Syrian camp and discovered a mighty work of God. The Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear “the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army” (2Kings 7:6), and the Syrians fled and left behind food and drink, silver and gold, clothing, horses, and tents. The siege of Israel was ended. God had saved them and left for the lepers a feast!

It was not a strong faith, but it was a beginning. The lepers saw the might of God and it began a work in their hearts. For a time they feasted on God’s goodness, but then realized, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news” (2Kings 7:9). It must be shared. They called to the gatekeepers, and the gatekeepers called to the king and his household, and the king cried out to the city the siege is over, and now the whole city feasted.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” ~Matthew 13:31-32

You don’t light a fire. You light a match and the match starts the fire. 

Daily Prayer

My God, Your grace calls me to You. It is good and it satisfying. May I taste of Your goodness and share it with others. You have given me life, a life so abundant that I dare not keep silent.

Lord God, in You I find life. I know why I am here and what I am to do. Your love is great, and though I first came hesitantly, I now follow fully. You are everything to me, and I give You my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength. May my life overflow and may Your glory be evident in all that I do.

Amen

Daily Question

In your opinion, what is the best reason to follow Jesus?

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Limping Along

Daily Reading

1Kings 18-20

Daily Thought

The prophet Elijah chides the people of Israel, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1Kings 18:21). The people had no answer. Many simply saw no difference. Why could not the Lord be God, and Baal, also? Two paths up the same mountain. Why must I choose? After all, Ahab and Jezebel preferred Baal and they were king and queen of Israel. It might be a sin to worship Baal, but life seemed easier if you go along with the people in charge. Sin always comes with benefits, but it ultimately destroys.

One foggy night at sea the captain of a ship saw what looked like the lights of another ship heading toward him. He signaled the ship, “Change your course ten degrees to the south.” The reply, “No. You change your course ten degrees north.” “I am a captain in this navy,” he insisted, “so you change course ten degrees south.” Answered the light, “I am a seaman first class. Change your course north.” Infuriated, the captain blustered, “I am a battleship. Change your course immediately!” The final response came, “I am a lighthouse. Your call, captain.” 

It was time to decide so Elijah clarified the choices. Two altars, two choices, one altar to Baal, the other to God. Each altar would be prepared for sacrifice with wood but God or Baal must ignite his own altar. 450 prophets placed a bull on the Baal altar and cried out for a flame. From morning until noon they pleaded, but they knew inside they were calling to nobody. For three minutes or three hours or three days they could beg, but nothing comes from nothing and there is no god in Baal. 

Elijah, then, prepared his bull, adding dramatic touches, such as drenching the altar and the wood with water. He spoke to God, but only once, because his God was there. Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench (1Kings 18:38).

Your call, Israel.

Daily Prayer

My God, I am glad to boast in You. The Truth You declare, I will speak with confidence. When You say something will happen, I know it is as true as if it had already occurred. What you say will happen, happens. I trust in You and You alone.

I stand by this, that I know the God of Creation, who exercises justice and kindness and righteousness on this earth. That I know Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. That I know the Truth and the Truth has set me free to live a life of wonder and worship.

Amen

Daily Question

Can people tell who is in charge of your life? How?